A Christmas Little 4: Kai (Little Christmas Season 4)

Chapter One

Marco

“So, you want me to give this person a job?” Marco asked, incredulously.

“I don't mean just give him the job,” Landon said, “At least give him an interview. Penny told me that her twin brother lost his job due to an asshole ex and you need a new waiter especially with the Christmas season. I just…”

“You want to lighten her load,” Marco sighed. “Alright, I’ll call him and have him come in for an interview. I won’t promise anything, just an interview.”

“Thank you so much, man. I owe you one.”

“You owe me thirty,” Marco laughed. “You know, you really should make a move on Penny.”

“I will, soon. She’s slow to trust and I need her to understand that I won’t leave. That means I have to show her that I’m reliable.” Landon sounded tired.

“How’s the security business?” Marco was mostly asking to get his friend's mind off his woman troubles.

“Busy. Marcus hired someone to join Veronica and protect her when she goes out to consult on any tech stuff.”

“Tech stuff?”

“Yeah, that’s a technical term.”

“Does Veronica typically need protection?”

“Not normally but at the last job she uncovered a scheme to steal a bunch of money from the bank she was consulting at and that it was the bank manager who was planning it. He attacked her.”

“Is she alright?” Marco sat up. Call him old fashioned but anytime anyone weaker than him got hurt he got pissed and protective.

“No, the manager picked the wrong person because Veronica put him on the ground.” Landon laughed and Marco relaxed. He knew Veronica by sight and the small conversations they’d had while at the club.

“So, Marcus hired a bodyguard for her?”

“Yep. His name is Jake. He just moved to Portland. Marcus gave him a couple weeks to get settled. He seems like a nice guy.” Marco arched his eyebrow at the suspicious tone in Landon's voice.

“But…”

“But it seems like he’s hiding something. He seems like he’s putting on an act. I only talked to him once to confirm he’d be a good fit here at MQL but I sensed something was off. I don’t think he’ll be a danger or anything. Oh, crap, I got to go, I’m having a meeting with Marcus about our budget.”

“Have fun with that,” Marco laughed and hung up his phone. He grabbed the post-it with the name Kai Jackson and a number that he’d written down and dialed the number.

“Hello?” a soft male voice answered.

“Hello, is this Kai Jackson?”

“May I ask who's calling?”

“Sorry, my name is Marco Costa. I own Marco’s Lounge.”

“Oh, yes! My sister said you might be calling. How can I help you Mr. Costa?”

“I was wondering if you’d be available for an interview today?”

“Today? Yes, I have some free time in about 2 hours.”

Marco checked his the time on his phone and said, “Perfect, I’ll see you at 3:30. Can you bring your resume? I’ll text you the address.”

“Great! Thank you so much for this chance, Mr. Costa.”

Soft, pleasant voice. Seems professional. Too soon to tell but I have a good feeling about this.

A little while later one of his staff knocked on his office door and called out, “Marco, a Kai is here about an interview?”

“Yes, please show him in.” Marco turned his chair so his desk was on his side and was glad that he was still sitting when the most attractive man he’d ever seen walked in the door.

He was short, it was hard to tell from a sitting position but he seemed almost exactly five feet tall.

His wavy auburn colored hair just barely touched his shoulders, round face and the most enchanting brown eyes that Marco had seen.

“Um, Mr. Costa?” Kai asked and Marco realized he’d been staring. He surged up and offered his hand. Kai blinked but shook his hand firmly. Marco was amazed that Kai hadn't flinched at his sudden movement. He was a tall, muscular man and a lot of people flinched if he moved suddenly.

“Oh, yeah, yes, you can call me Marco. Did you bring your resume?”

Focus. Interview mode.

“Yes, I updated it before my interview.” Marco took the proffered resume and gestured to the chair in front of him while he sat. Reading over Kai’s resume Marco blinked in surprise. He wasn’t expecting Kai to actually be an experienced waiter. Every single one of his jobs was as a waiter.

“You really like being a waiter?”

“Oh yes, I’m a friendly, outgoing person and I love talking and serving people.

It makes me very happy.” Marco had to smile at Kai’s big smile and shining eyes.

He cleared his throat and started in on all the normal questions.

By the end of the 30 minute interview Marco knew that Kai was a thoughtful person who took the time to think about his questions and answered honestly and without guile.

He was used to operating on his intuition and something told him that if he didn’t hire Kai he’d regret it for the rest of his life.

“Well, Kai, thank you so much for coming on at such short notice.”

“Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.”

“When can you start?” Marco was used to following his intuition and decided he couldn't pass up this opportunity.

“I can start right now. Thank you.” Kai looked hopeful and Marco nodded.

“Then come in next Monday. You can sign all the legal stuff and watch all the boring videos.” Marco paused as Kai giggled. It was such a sweet sound.

“If there’s any time after that I’ll have you shadow our head waitress,” he continued.

“Oh my gosh, thank you so much, Marco.” Kai exclaimed and stood and offered his hand.

“I promise that I won’t disappoint you.” Marco squeezed Kai’s hand and smiled.

“Something tells me that you won’t disappoint me at all.” Marco watched Kai leave then sank to his seat and put his chin on his fist. He just hired a man that had his heart racing and hands shaking. It had been a long time since he reacted like that to another man.

Now Kai works for him.

Great.

He was so fucked.